1950s
The Calgary Fire Department - 1950s
The Calgary Fire Department was receiving an increasing number of calls as the population continued to grow. From 959 calls in 1951 to 1,349 calls in 1953, firefighters were in heavy demand. Sixty major building fires were recorded this decade, including a $2.5 million blaze in 1945 that destroyed the No. 5 hangar at Calgary's municipal airport.
By 1951, there were 1,892 men working from eight fire halls, serving a population of 129,000.
Establishment of the Fire Prevention Bureau, Calgary's first ambulance, and specialized training were some of the firsts in this decade.
The Calgary Fire Department was receiving an increasing number of calls as the population continued to grow. From 959 calls in 1951 to 1,349 calls in 1953, firefighters were in heavy demand. Sixty major building fires were recorded this decade, including a $2.5 million blaze in 1945 that destroyed the No. 5 hangar at Calgary's municipal airport.
By 1951, there were 1,892 men working from eight fire halls, serving a population of 129,000.
Establishment of the Fire Prevention Bureau, Calgary's first ambulance, and specialized training were some of the firsts in this decade.
Bill Phillips in Uniform with BLC Vehicle (CFD Rescue Car). (1952, FMC Collection, 2016.000.063)
1950s - Calgary Fire Department Emergency Rescue
Later in 1951, Capt. William Phillips became the Calgary Fire Department's first Rescue and Safety Officer, and was put in charge of a rescue van donated by Associated Canadian Travellers, a national community service group. This rudimentary ambulance contained its own generator, medical supplies, a cutting torch and two 20-ton jacks. A public address system was mounted on the radio-equipped car, which also included a "life gun" to reach marooned victims.
Phillips, an instructor and member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, was the first emergency rescue specialist in Calgary to promote and teach first aid and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to his colleagues and the public.
Later in 1951, Capt. William Phillips became the Calgary Fire Department's first Rescue and Safety Officer, and was put in charge of a rescue van donated by Associated Canadian Travellers, a national community service group. This rudimentary ambulance contained its own generator, medical supplies, a cutting torch and two 20-ton jacks. A public address system was mounted on the radio-equipped car, which also included a "life gun" to reach marooned victims.
Phillips, an instructor and member of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, was the first emergency rescue specialist in Calgary to promote and teach first aid and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to his colleagues and the public.
1950s - Calgary Fire Department Fire Prevention Bureau
Responding to fires was no longer the department's sole mandate — a new era of fire prevention was beginning. The City's first Fire Prevention Bureau was established on Feb. 1, 1951. Doug McDougall became the department's first Chief Fire Inspector, a title that would later change to Fire Marshal.
McDougall trained the firefighters in prevention and inspection practices, and each fire station was responsible for inspecting businesses, residences and public halls in its area to eliminate or reduce fire hazards and note any building code infractions. The inspectors were also assigned to investigate all fire causes in their districts.
The Bureau started an educational outreach in Calgary schools. Children were asked to check their own homes for hazards, and to file reports if they found anything of concern.
Responding to fires was no longer the department's sole mandate — a new era of fire prevention was beginning. The City's first Fire Prevention Bureau was established on Feb. 1, 1951. Doug McDougall became the department's first Chief Fire Inspector, a title that would later change to Fire Marshal.
McDougall trained the firefighters in prevention and inspection practices, and each fire station was responsible for inspecting businesses, residences and public halls in its area to eliminate or reduce fire hazards and note any building code infractions. The inspectors were also assigned to investigate all fire causes in their districts.
The Bureau started an educational outreach in Calgary schools. Children were asked to check their own homes for hazards, and to file reports if they found anything of concern.
High-Rise Training. (circa 1950s, FMC Collection, 2016.000.067)
1950s - Calgary Fire Department Specialized Training
Fire education was also promoted from within. The Calgary Fire Department opened its first fire school in 1955 at the No. 3 station under the instruction of Capt. George Taylor. This same year, Calgary's population grew to 168,840, and Fire Hall No. 11 opened at 55th Ave. and Fourth St S.W.
In 1958, Calgary became the first city in the Canadian West and the second in Canada to have a fire department aquatic team. In the beginning, members used their own equipment and learned about rescue and body-recovery techniques in and around the water. The team is now recognized as a leader in water rescue.
In 1958, Calgary's first complete Fire Code, called Fire Prevention By-Law 5120, was adopted.
1958 was also a great year for Calgary kids. Sparky, a Dalmatian dog was donated to the Fire Prevention Bureau and given the title of Chief of The Junior Fire Department, which included children up to Grade 6. Fire prevention education for children took a great leap forward with the adoption of the friendly mascot.
As the decade drew to a close, the Calgary Fire Department adopted a four-platoon system, with a fixed 42-hour week. There were 317 firefighters now serving more than 207,000 Calgarians, and in 1958, they responded to more than 2,000 calls.
In 1959, Calgary was proclaimed the "Most Fire-Safe City" in Canada compared to other similarly sized municipalities, based on the number of fatalities, injuries and property damages resulting from fire.
Fire education was also promoted from within. The Calgary Fire Department opened its first fire school in 1955 at the No. 3 station under the instruction of Capt. George Taylor. This same year, Calgary's population grew to 168,840, and Fire Hall No. 11 opened at 55th Ave. and Fourth St S.W.
In 1958, Calgary became the first city in the Canadian West and the second in Canada to have a fire department aquatic team. In the beginning, members used their own equipment and learned about rescue and body-recovery techniques in and around the water. The team is now recognized as a leader in water rescue.
In 1958, Calgary's first complete Fire Code, called Fire Prevention By-Law 5120, was adopted.
1958 was also a great year for Calgary kids. Sparky, a Dalmatian dog was donated to the Fire Prevention Bureau and given the title of Chief of The Junior Fire Department, which included children up to Grade 6. Fire prevention education for children took a great leap forward with the adoption of the friendly mascot.
As the decade drew to a close, the Calgary Fire Department adopted a four-platoon system, with a fixed 42-hour week. There were 317 firefighters now serving more than 207,000 Calgarians, and in 1958, they responded to more than 2,000 calls.
In 1959, Calgary was proclaimed the "Most Fire-Safe City" in Canada compared to other similarly sized municipalities, based on the number of fatalities, injuries and property damages resulting from fire.
We love this image taken more than two decades later of rope rescue/repelling practice on training tower. (circa 1970s, FMC Collection, 2016.000.068)